Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-09-24
JOHN ALNSWORTHS WIFE.
BY 1lANDA L cRocKER.

She stood in the doorway of the
cottage. intently watching a man busy
with his scythe over the way. The
mower was John Ainsworth, and she
was his wife. There was a look on her
face which did not augur well for her
peace Of mind nor that of her husband,
either, if they meant to love each
other
She was neatly dressed; she always
made it a point to look well, though
precious little good came of II" she
often said to her mirror, "only John
Ainsworths wife. after all the pains
taking"
The roses bloomed on the lattice
John trained them there because she
loved them-but little she cared for
their fragrant beauty just then. The
sweet breath Of the clover came to her
on the wind, but even that only re-
minded her, unpleasantly, that she was
only farmers wife.
Il wish had married Pierce Sher-
wood, she said. vehemently, turning
to go in "He would have looked
higher than John did, and then he had
money and a high social standing.
Dear I was q fool to mistake love IN
a cottage for a heavenly, care-free
realm It's n perfect prisOn-house
from whose bonds L cannot escape"
Here the servant appeared, cutting
short the tangled soliIoquy by saying
"Please. mum, an ye said it was yer
self phat wud carry the lunch to yer
husband. It's reddy it is, mum, an
it's full nome o. the clock, too, as early
as it seems"
"Bring it here. then. Yes. L said ]
would take it to John, but scarcely
can tell what prompted me to venture
out in this weather"
IVY the foine mornin', mum, to be
shure. If Oh only had the toim mesell
Ord do that same, an be glad o. the
chance. Ne ought to be deloighted
mum, Wild the foin mornin', the nice
lunch, an the guide husband ye hev."
81 suppose ought, Maggie. but dom
preach. / cannot bear it kindly"
AN it's preaehin' is it? Wy, mum
OF was only sayin'-"
"Ohl know you meant it all right
Maggie, aud doubtless it is; but Civ
me the luncheon"
EVAN wud be afther supposin' sh
wuz tired ov this illoigant cottage, an
its owner too. Pom me sowl, / b1av
she don't love her mon. come to thin
n. Marciful hivinsl pity the loike
o. her if that's it " And AIargare
O'Rooney went back to her potting an
panning for the MONDAY farmers din
ner.
John AinsWorth moved to the end c
the lot. and turned 10 see his wife com
ing. an sit down in the shade of thi
elm 10y the spring and wait for Minnie
seems 70 me, he added slowly, as b
noted the tagging step and weary al
of his wife, seems to me Minnie ism
we'll This hot weather is telling o
her I fear. I wish, for her sake, wa
rich. and then she wouldn't Le oblige
to-"
"Here's your lunch john" handin
him the basket and throwing herself o
the grass in the friendly shadows.
al fear you are not well, Minnie. h
said, following up the bent of h
tn 1ughts.
go, yes I am; but this-weather
terribly trying on ones spirits, som,
how, she answered, shutting her eve
and leaning her head against the elm
with a sigh
John looked at her intently; he wa
thinking. "How would you like to g
to Hanover on a visit, Minnie? ?"
Hanover. that was wherelPierce Shel
wood lived, and she hardly wanted {
see him Just now. Could she 90 bac
to Hanover, and see his wife in cost
laces and diamonds, queening it in tn
best social circles? ooh dear" an
she opened her eyes slowly, to meet tn
solicitOus questioning gaze of John, re
gardinE her with curious expression
He smiled a little oddly, and said
you haven't answered me yet, Minnie.
@What2 OIL about the trip to Han
over Well, I cannot say. presum
it would be a changs-but you, John (?
seeing a strange look creeping into hi
eyes.
NE? o. I VIII get along nicely, 70
a fortnight, and then Tu run down an,
bring you home. But, perhaps a tril
somewhere else would be more to you
liking"
Hanover is fully as well as anywheru
else to visit. she replied. inward,
wishing he had not proposed the triE
at all
@Ail right; get ready by Thursday
and III see you Of / am going to til,
city on business then"
Something strange has come ovet
Minnie. / cant tell the reason, but
believe she is growing tired Of me
he emphasized the last word under his
breath, and turned old Dolls head
away from the depot He had kept ur
eheerfully TO the last, but his wife.
face haunted him. Calm and distant.
she babe him "good-by" in a free and
easy manner IS he kissed her Just be-
fore the train started; and be noticed